FOLIO
Arlington Would Gain New Investments as a Community Redevelopment Area
Building on major new investments by Jacksonville University, Mayor Alvin Brown was joined today by City Council members and Jacksonville University President Tim Cost to announce that the City’s Renew Jax initiative will expand to the Arlington area. Launched by Mayor Brown in November 2014, Renew Jax is designed to empower and revitalize key Jacksonville neighborhoods and corridors through public-private partnerships.
“Arlington is a community that’s ready for a turnaround,” said Mayor Brown. “It’s a neighborhood with a great past and I believe it can look forward to a great future. By leveraging public and private investments, we will create new business and job opportunities along with a safer, more vibrant environment for everyone in Arlington.”
A culmination of 12 months of work and community input, Mayor Brown said that Renew Arlington is focused on rejuvenating private investment by designating a specific section within Arlington as a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) with a Redevelopment Trust Fund. For a 20-year period, all new revenues generated from increased property values in the redevelopment area would be dedicated to economic development, housing, infrastructure and other projects that benefit the Arlington area.
“It is great to see the positive momentum in Arlington surrounding this initiative and it is my hope the ripple effects will continue throughout the neighborhoods and places of business,” said Council President Clay Yarborough, whose district includes the area. “We owe gratitude to JU President Tim Cost for his leadership and I am thankful to know JU is continuing with plans to make Arlington its long-term home.”
“When I moved to Jacksonville in 1965, University Boulevard – anchored by Town and Country Shopping Center and Jacksonville University – was a thriving residential and commercial corridor,” said Councilman John Crescimbeni, an at-large member who lives in Arlington. “The Renew Jax initiative for Arlington is a giant first step towards returning this part of Arlington to its former glory and heritage.”
“I am proud to have yet another opportunity to improve my district through the Renew Jax initiative,” said Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney, whose district includes part of the area. “These community redevelopment efforts will help the district I’ve represented for eight years transform and thrive.”
The Renew Arlington efforts will add to the more than $27 million dollars in campus improvements and investments already underway at Jacksonville University. The campus investments include: the completion of a 30,000-square-foot College of Health Sciences building; a $1.5 million renovation of the new River House student center; a new 270-plus student housing development; acquisition of more than 40 acres of adjacent riverfront land; and significant overhaul of STEM laboratories, campus dining amenities, collaborative study spaces, and athletic facilities, with more upgrades to come.
“Jacksonville University believes in Arlington and we are investing right now in support of this region,” said Tim Cost, president of Jacksonville University. “The greatest impact is through close partnerships, and we are committed to making those work.”
To implement Renew Arlington, the City will capitalize on existing plans and studies, and the City is teaming up with community partners, including the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), JEA, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the university. They are already engaged in a comprehensive review of community needs and opportunities, including housing, commercial retail development, transportation, utilities, public safety, code enforcement and land use and zoning.
“JEA has been and remains engaged in the Renew Arlington initiative, regularly attending meetings with the City to stay abreast of the development of the project,” said Wayne Young, JEA director of government affairs. “We look forward to working with and providing our services for the successful redevelopment of the Arlington community.”
“Renew Arlington represents a great opportunity for JTA to partner with the City, Jacksonville University, JEA and the Arlington community to not only improve access and mobility but leverage resources towards economic growth,” said JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.
Key projects identified include:
- JTA will develop a plan for University Boulevard and Merrill Road, which are part of the JTAMobilityWorks initiative that is designed to improve accessibility and mobility. A corridor plan will be driven by community and stakeholder input. It will consider sidewalk improvements, ADA accessibility, transit shelters, lighting, landscaping, safety enhancements and context sensitive roadway solutions.
- JEA will work with the City and JU in their efforts to enhance the University Boulevard and Merrill Road corridors by improving its utilities to upgrade safety, aesthetics and reliability.
- JU will continue partnering with the City to invest on campus and in the community, along with attracting businesses to link up with education and research opportunities.
- The City will work with local businesses and developers to enhance University Boulevard and Merrill Road as commercial retail corridors.
State law outlines a process the City must follow to establish a CRA, which requires City Council approval. City leaders said they intend to complete the process by the end of 2015.
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